NFL Player News

An Arthur Smith favorite going on half a decade now, Pruitt played for Art in both Tennessee and Atlanta. Like the Falcons, the Steelers have a full house at tight end. but also like he did with the Falcons, Smith undoubtedly plans to find Pruitt a few balls with the Steelers. Headed into his age-32 season, Pruitt is admittedly durable and versatile.

Chubb said he doesn’t know when he’ll make his 2024 debut, but the 21-day return window means he would need to be activated no later than Week 8 when the Browns face the Jaguars. We wouldn’t expect him to be activated before Sunday’s game against the Commanders, but regardless, fantasy managers who have stashed him up to this point will soon be rewarded for their patience.

Alexander missed last week’s contest against the Vikings and was a DNP on Thursday. The veteran corner returned it what will likely be a limited capacity on Thursday, giving him a chance to play in Week 5 if he can also practice on Friday. With a Week 5 matchup against a feisty Rams team on tap, the Packers need all hands on deck to avoid starting the season 2-3.

Ali was placed on injured reserve to open the season after suffering a neck injury. The rookie fifth-rounder will return to practice on Thursday and will now have 21 days to be activated from IR or be ruled out for the season. Assuming he does make it back, Ali won’t have much fantasy upside as a rookie as long as Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are upright. He could, however, make for an interesting stash in only the deepest of leagues as the handcuff to Henry.

Robinson was a surprise DNP on Wednesday and has now missed two straight practices. With Austin Ekeler (concussion) on the mend, the Commanders could be rolling with Ekeler as their RB1 if Robinson is unable to get on the field for Week 5 against the Browns. He still has a chance to log a limited session on Friday, but fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place, just in case.

Ekeler continues to trend toward a Week 5 return after also logging a limited practice on Wednesday. The veteran back, if active, will resume his role as the change-of-pace back behind Brian Robinson, with a chance to start if Robinson (knee) is unable to go. Robinson popped up on Wednesday’s injury report as a DNP and was not spotted in Thursday’s practice.

Wright made the surprise announcement on his Instagram page, saying he underwent an MRI on his tricep following the team’s Week 2 win over the Jaguars after “dealing with pain from a strain.” After playing through the pain in Weeks 3 and 4, Wright underwent another MRI, which revealed a tear that will now require surgery. The former 2022 third-round pick has totaled eight tackles, one TFL, and one sack on the season and was hoping to take a big step forward in his third season. With 2025 being a contract year, Wright will need a breakout campaign in his fourth season if he hopes to re-up with the Browns long-term.

Richardson was surprisingly listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report despite earlier reports that he was not practicing. He’ll most likely be limited again in Thursday’s session. He’s trending toward drawing a questionable tag ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 contest against the Jaguars, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts played it safe and went with Flacco to give Richardson some additional time to heal.

Dell has participated in each of the Texans’ first two practices to open the week. He appears to be trending toward a return in Week 5 against the Bills after missing last week’s game against the Jaguars. If he does suit up, Dell will be hard to trust in his return from injury. It also doesn’t help that Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs are both playing well through the first month of the season. If active, Dell shouldn’t be viewed as anything more as a WR4/WR5 this week.

Pierce, along with backfield mate Joe Mixon (ankle), has yet to practice this week. Their absence is somewhat surprising, considering Pierce was thought to have a chance to play in Week 4, and Mixon was ruled as “day-to-day” by coach DeMeco Ryans earlier this week. If Pierce and Mixon are unable to go, the Texans could again turn to Cam Akers for Week 5’s matchup against the Bills.

After attempting to play in Week 4, Mixon opened this week as “day-to-day,” per coach DeMeco Ryans. Two straight missed practices to open the week, however, officially put his Week 5 availability in doubt. We could be looking at another week of Cam Akers if Mixon and Dameon Pierce (ankle) are both unable to go for Week 5 against the Bills.